Psychology Research and Behavior Management (Dec 2020)

Link Between Cyberbullying Victimization and Perpetration Among Undergraduates: Mediating Effects of Trait Anger and Moral Disengagement

  • Dou G,
  • Xiang Y,
  • Sun X,
  • Chen L

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 13
pp. 1269 – 1276

Abstract

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Guangbo Dou,1 Ying Xiang,2 Xiaohua Sun,3,* Liang Chen3,* 1College of Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Psychiatry, Dalian Rehabilitation Center, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Marxism, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan City, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xiaohua Sun; Liang Chen Tel +86-0412-5928008; +86-0412-5929598 Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Based on the general strain theory and moral engagement theory, this study aimed to explore the prediction of cyberbullying victimization on cyberbullying perpetration among college students and the mediating effect of trait anger and moral disengagement.Materials and Methods: Data collected from 1183 college students (M = 20.62, SD = 1.21) from a university in Liaoning Province (China) were analyzed using the Cyberbullying Victimization Scale, Trait Anger Scale, Moral Disengagement Scale, and the Cyberbullying Questionnaire.Results: There was a significant positive correlation between cyberbullying victimization, trait anger, moral disengagement, and cyberbullying perpetration. Cyberbullying victimization also predicted college students cyberbullying perpetration through the mediating effects of trait anger and moral disengagement. The mediating effects included two paths, which were the separate mediating effect of moral disengagement and the chain mediating effect of trait anger-moral disengagement. The total mediating effect is 6.15%.Conclusion: Trait anger and moral disengagement play a mediating role in the relationship between cyberbullying victimization and cyberbullying perpetration among college students.Keywords: college students, cyberbullying victimization, trait anger, moral disengagement, cyberbullying perpetration

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